People in Deir al-Balah are told to leave, as the IDF prepares to launch its first ground offensive in the city during its war against Hamas.

The Israeli military published new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday, in one of the few areas where the military has rarely operated with ground troops.The evacuation cuts access between the city of Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the narrow enclave.

Israeli troops are preparing for ground operations in central Gaza for the first time since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, raising hopes that some of the remaining 50 hostages may be located.